PRE-SEASON, and written off as relegation certainties, Hartlepool United's summer signings, following relegation battles in the previous two campaigns, consisted of two free transfers.

Even Paul Murray, one of those recruits, accepts the situation was hardly inspiring.

But, with their League One status as good as assured after a win over Yeovil took them to 54 points, there's little doubt the impact Murray and fellow free Evan Horwood have had.

Murray was again instrumental in central midfield as Pools beat the Glovers for the third time this season, while Horwood added to his ever-growing tally of assists.

The midfielder is enjoying an Indian summer at Victoria Park. Freed by Shrewsbury, he's become a mainstay of the side, making 39 appearances. The last time the 34-year-old made as many appearances in a season was in 2003/4 for Oldham.

"I think we're safe now - 54 points will be enough - and the lads are buzzing,'' he reflected. "For all the people who wrote us off, it's nice to do that. I remember reading something in the local paper during pre-season and it had a load of old players saying we were going to get relegated.

"I looked at that when I was going to sign and thought ‘I don't want that to happen when I'm here'.

"And it hasn't happened, so that's great, especially after the last two years, when the lads have struggled going into the last two games. It must be a big weight off their minds.

"We've got five games to reach that 60-point mark now and that would be fantastic.''

And he admitted: "If you were a supporter of the club and you brought in me and Evan Horwood on trial you'd surely be thinking ‘God, we haven't brought a striker in. We've got someone who's 34, who was released from Shrewsbury, and Evan, who's been released by Carlisle'.

"So I can imagine there wasn't much optimism, but we've turned it around. Yes, we've had some poor results, but that's down to a pure lack of concentration.

"But that's why players play at this level, because they're not consistent in what they're doing, that's the way it is.

"Maybe you have talent but if you don't do it week-in, week-out, you don't play in the Premier League.

"But I'd probably agree that me and Evan have been two of the best players this season -that just shows you about football.

"I mentioned Evan to Mick (Wadsworth) but I don't think Chris Turner was too bothered.

"I said ‘look, he's on a free'. I told Mick I'd do a job and I'd like to think Evan and I have done that and done well.''

Horwood's dead-ball delivery and Murray's ability to shield the defence from midfield have brought characteristics missing in recent seasons.

The amount of goals Pools score from set-plays is testimony to Horwood's left foot, and he had a hand in two of the three on Saturday.

But Pools were trailing amid a bright start.

Jon Obika allowed a throw-in to bounce across his body and he arched the ball over, above and beyond Scott Flinders.

From Horwood's corner, the ball was twice aimlessly headed on by Adam Virgo and Adam Boyd drilled in from close range.

It was his first goal since August 14, his 72nd for the club, but it was only his tenth start of the season and the 19th time he has appeared on the pitch this season.

Pools went ahead when Sam Collins met Leon McSweeney's corner to sweep in his second of the campaign.

Four minutes later, Colin Larkin, on for Boyd, connected with a Horwood cut-back and the ball bobbled in at the near post.

Yeovil were well beaten and they knew it. "We were southern softies against a good, strong northern team,'' said boss Terry Skiverton.

Murray added: "Once we got the goals we started passing it around a bit and you could see the confidence among the lads.

"But our main aim was to win, no matter how it was done. We enjoyed it second half and you could see the smiles on the faces.

"If we hadn't got a result, then you might have been looking over your shoulder.''

With a 12-point advantage over the bottom four, Pools are nine points shy of the top six. Yet Murray admits it is a case of what might have been.

"I look back at Notts County away (Pools lost 3-0 on January 3) and if we'd won we could have gone joint third," he reflected.

"To do that would have been a turning point and made us believe when you actually see yourself up there.

"But we'd take where we are now after the last two years.

"Credit to Mick. He's got it more organised and we've done well.''

Goals:

0-1: Obika (10, let the ball run across his body before whipping in a glorious 30-yard volley high into the net)

1-1: Boyd (18, corner wasn't cleared after two attempts by Virgo and Boyd lashed in from eight yards)

2-1: Collins (62, corner played deep and centre-half swept in a low first-time finish)

3-1: Larkin (68, Horwood and Monkhouse opened up a chance on the left, the left back crossed and the substitute turned in with his first touch)

Booking: Huntingdon (90, foul)

Referee: Paul Tierney (Wigan): Not a lot for him to get involved in 7

Attendance: 2,834

Entertainment: 2/5

Pools Yeovil

Shots on 4 1

Shots off 2 4

Fouls 5 7

Corners 5 3

Offside 3 0

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):

7 Flinders: No goalkeeper could have stopped the opening goal - and that aside he was never troubled in a

confident display;

7 Haslam: At ease at both right back and then when moved in the middle of a back three and cleared off the line with the score at 1-1

7 Collins: Tidy finish for his second goal in four home games and was strong at the back

7 Hartley: Firm and solid as he did the simple things well

7 Horwood: Worked the flank for the third goal and well suited to the left

wing-back role;

8 MURRAY: Shielded the back four in the manner which has become the norm for him

7 Gamble: Filtered around the pitch to make his share of interceptions and used possession positively

6 Sweeney: His forward runs have been missed and made a welcome and effective

return to the side

6 Monkhouse: Constantly tried to get forward from a variety of roles and enjoyed his outing;

7 Boyd: A rare start, a rare goal, but he made the most of his chance with some neat touches and movement

5 Humphreys: Always on the fringe of the game and chances to make his mark

were scarce

Subs:

McSweeney (for Humphreys 55): Made a lively impact on the right side as a wing back when Pools changed system 6

Larkin (for Boyd 66): On for a minute and scored with his first touch - three goals in four games 6

Yantorno (for Sweeney 89)

(not used): Rafferty (gk), Behan, Mackay, Bjornsson.

YEOVIL TOWN (3-4-1-2): Henderson 7; Huntingdon 7, Virgo 5, Ehmer 5; Alcock 5, MacDonald 6, Tutte 5 (Upson 77), Smith 5; S Williams 6 (Gritton 68, 5); Obika 6, Bowditch 5 (Russell 77). Subs (not used): Stewart (gk), Jones, Ayling, Gibson.

MAN OF THE MATCH

PAUL Murray - dictated possession, prompted Pools and protected the defence